Rodrigo Alejandro Goldberg Mierzejewski (born 9 August 1971) is a Chilean former professional footballer who played as a striker. He gained national notoriety in Israel for his talented play with Maccabi Tel Aviv and good use of the Hebrew language.[1] At international level, he made 13 appearances for the Chile national team scoring 4 goals.
 Goldberg in 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rodrigo Alejandro Goldberg Mierzejewski | ||
| Date of birth | 9 August 1971 | ||
| Place of birth | Santiago, Chile | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Universidad de Chile | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1989–1997 | Universidad de Chile | 67 | (11) |
| 1992–1993 | → Santiago Wanderers (loan) | 61 | (25) |
| 1997–2003 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 75 | (28) |
| 1998–1999 | → Universidad Católica (loan) | 19 | (5) |
| 2005–2006 | Santiago Morning | 37 | (6) |
| Total | 259 | (75) | |
| International career | |||
| 1995–2001 | Chile | 13 | (4) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Time in Israel
Goldberg was an integral part of the Maccabi Tel Aviv squad that took back to back cup titles and a league championship thereafter.[2] He had a strained relationship with club captain Avi Nimni and verbally criticized him in the Israeli media before returning to Chile.[3]
Return to Chile
After playing for four seasons in Israel, Goldberg returned to Chile to play for Santiago Morning. During a club match against Palestino, he was subjected to anti-Semitic abuse from the oppositions supporters because of his Polish and German Jewish background.[4] Goldberg is, however, a Catholic, as a result of the conversion of his grandparents.[5]
After football
Goldberg graduated as an Industrial Civil Engineer at the San Sebastián University.[6]
Since 2006, he has worked as a football commentator and analyst in both radio and TV media such as Canal del Fútbol,[7] Fox Sports[8] and Radio Cooperativa. In addition to this, he worked for TVN during the 2011 Copa América.[7] Also, he has worked for print media such as Publimetro [es] and La Tercera.[9]
From 2019 to 2021, Goldberg worked as Sports Director of Universidad de Chile alongside his former fellow footballer Sergio Vargas.[10]
Honours
Universidad de Chile
Maccabi Tel Aviv
- Israel State Cup: 2001, 2002
- Israeli Premier League: 2002–03
References
External links
- Profile and statistics of Rodrigo Goldberg on One.co.il (in Hebrew)
- Rodrigo Goldberg at BDFA (in Spanish)